I thought you might be able to use the attached story of my building a Porsche easy chair for the family room. It's about a two-hour project, once one has the materials. The seat cost $200 and the wood was on hand. I could have purchased a leather barrel chair from Value City for $300, but the route taken saved $100 and produced a restful conversation piece.

My son had an extra driver's seat leftover from one of his projects. It was an earlier 911/912E high back non-electric model that had been recovered in black vinyl. I thought that it might have possibilities for use as a stationary chair in our house. Here's what I did.

After moving the Porsche seat inside, I set it on stacked-up 2x4's to get the feel of how it might work. Front height was determined by an existing comfortable easy chair. Finding this acceptable for TV watching, I measured the seat rail spacing and length. Then I figured out what would give me the required base size using available materials. Wood 2x4's seemed to best fit my needs. (Oak or walnut would be classier, but the 1x6's on hand required much more work to build up.)

Look over the attached drawing and Bill of Materials and you will see that I stacked the 2x4's and fastened them together with countersunk 3-inch drywall screws. Their rear projection, necessary to prevent tip-over, was cut at an angle for looks. A 2x4 crosspiece was installed with 3-inch screws, for both rigidity and to help hold the side pieces together. The top deck, a scrap of 1/2 inch plywood was attached with 1 1/4 inch screws placed several inches back from the corners.

Next would be a good time to finish the wood with varnish or paint. For a black seat, I would suggest a black or dark red color on pine and a clear coat on walnut or cherry. It's your choice. My base was unfinished for the included photos.

Attach the seat/rails with 2 1/2 inch screws using a small washer under the heads for better contact. Slide the seat to the rear to access the front mounting holes and vice-versa. Center the seat for use. When all was said and done, I tried out the seating position and discovered that a 3/4 inch riser on the front of each side piece really improved the comfort.

Our home now sports a Porsche easy chair! Although perhaps it needs a P-crest emblem (hood or wheel ornament) on the front side of the crossmember.                  

Bill of Materials:

Qty  Item/Size                       Mat'l           Use                    

1    2 x 4 x 14-1/2                 wood     crossbrace

2    2 x 4 x 17-1/2                 wood     upper side

2    2 x 4 x 20                         wood     lower side

1    1/2 x 17-1/2 x 14       plywood  seat platform

2    1-3/8 dia x 3/4               wood     front riser

8    1-1/4 drywall screw        steel       platform & risers

10   3 drywall screw              steel   sides & crossbrace

4    2-1/2 drywall screw        steel       seat mounts

4    1/4 ID x 1/2 OD washer  steel    seat mounts